The Consummation of Love: From Being in Love to Biblical Love
I Believe: Finding My Purpose in Life • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 57:06
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We have slowly and methodically been going through the creation of man and woman. We started with an understanding of God.
EVERYONE has a
Conceptual Knowledge of God = Theism = There is a God and He is Infinite and Personal.
However, we cannot stop there. We must have a
Relational Knowledge of God = Monotheism - There is One God and He wants a relationship with us.
And then, we have to allow this Relational Knowledge to take us to a
Demonstrative Action of God = Tri-Monotheism = God is only defined through His descriptions.
Then we learned that People, Man and Woman, were the purpose of God’s Creation.
God made us different in order that we might find completion through companionship.
Then we learned the importance of accepting our role as male and female.
We also learned that God design of the male was and still is - to lead while the female was and still is - to submit.
Submission is not being bossed around but rather an acceptance of the authority that God gave the man to fulfill His purpose of ruling over creation by serving in the garden and protecting the garden to experience the full blessings of God.
We also saw that the created, man and woman, were presented in the image and likeness of the Triune God.
God the Father is the Leader, The Authority.
God the Son is the Completer, The Follower and Submitter.
God the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, Another Follower and Submitter.
We are to accept this by Faith, Reason, Revelation, and Reality.
The Exhibition of Faith leads to the Realization of Hope.
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
You will never see or experience the reality of hope until you are willing to hear and believe that God is capable and will do what He has promised.
19 God is not a man, that he should lie; Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Therefore,
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
So, with that little bit of foundational review, let us go back to out text.
15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Consummation = completion, perfection, fulfillment.
verb (used with object)
consummated, consummating
to bring to a state of perfection; fulfill.Synonyms: achieve, accomplish, finish, perfect, complete
to complete (an arrangement, agreement, or the like) by a pledge or the signing of a contract.
The company consummated its deal to buy a smaller firm.
to complete (the union of a marriage) by the first marital sexual intercourse.
Remember, man is a 3 part being.
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground [Body], and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [Spirit]; and man became a living soul [Soul].
We also discovered that the Soul, who you are is made up from the heart, the emotion and feelings, the mind, the intellect and decisiveness.
It is in this Soul, the heart and the mind, where the battle between your spirit, what God made you to be, and your body, what you do, for God or you.
We will really see how this is played out more thoroughly in a couple of weeks when we see the Corruption of Marriage.
But before we get there, we need to see what God Create and how we Consummate this week, and how that Consummation brings about a Committment or Covenant of Marriage next week.
God gave man the woman to be a completer or consummator, which speaks of an Unity found between the two.
Consummation is ACQUIRED in Unity:
Consummation is ACQUIRED in Unity:
1. Our Being: Playing on the same TEAM.
Working with each other not against each other.
2. Our Doing: Heading in the same DIRECTION.
3. Our Thinking: Serving the same Master.
What is unity? A ONENESS.
Unity is a ONENESS
In the New Testament, is seen in the Body of the Church.
Unity in the Body of Christ
Unity in the Body of Christ
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Unity in the Godhead.
Unity in the Godhead.
The Father , The Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Father Authors the Plan.
The Father Authors the Plan.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The Son Executes the Plan.
The Son Executes the Plan.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Holy Spirit Confirms the Results.
The Holy Spirit Confirms the Results.
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
This is exactly what Jesus prayed right before He fully submitted to the death of the cross.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Why? because sin and Satan will do everything within their power to eliminate unity through a loss of love for each other.
Here, Jesus is praying for us in the church, His bride, that we may one. That we may all come together Spirit, Body, and Soul in order that we present Him to the world in which we live.
This is Unity = When we have Faith, enough to trust and obey God, we will Love, which is what all the commandments of the Bible hang upon.
Which is exactly what God did in our text.
18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
God showed Him his inadequacy to fulfill his authority, by viewing and naming, God’s creation.
19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Now we come to our text this morning.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Flesh = not one body, but one person, a completed unit, the likeness of the Godhead, spirit, soul, and body.
Consummation is ACCOMMPLISHED in Love:
Consummation is ACCOMMPLISHED in Love:
Unity can only be accomplished through love.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
All the commandments, acts of obedience, hang on the idea of love.
5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Again in
12 And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
Then Jesus says in
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
When the Bible speaks of love, love is measured not by how much you want to receive but by how much you are willing to give of yourself to someone.
Notice, Love begins with feelings. That is the result of sin that we will again discuss in 2 weeks.
I don’t know if you remember or not, but when we talked about the image of God, Body, Spirit, and Soul, heart and mind. I said all through the Bible the word soul and spirit are interchangeable.
That is because your soul, is made up of your heart, the emotion and feelings, and the mind, the intellect and decisiveness.
Your salvation is first CONVICTION. You feel the need for it in your heart.
Secondly, your salvation is CONFESSION. You decide that Jesus died for you.
Thirdly, your salvation is CONSUMMATION.
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
This is confirmed in Acts 2:37-38
37 Now when they heard this [Faith], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do [Mouth]?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent [Consummation], and be baptized [Physical act] every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Physical act of baptism followed the result of Salvation.
This happens this way because of sin.
But, biblical love, agape love, is defined in God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
There is only one love Agape love.
However, because of sin, the Bible speaks of 3 Other loves.
Storge = famial love.
Storge is the natural, protective affection shared between family members, such as the bond between parents and children.
Storge itself does not appear in the New Testament, but the negative form, , meaning "devoid of natural affection," is used to describe people lacking love for their families.
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Phileo = Friendship Love
Phileo describes a strong affection and connection between friends, built on shared interests, mutual respect, and personal attachment.
This type of love is used in the Bible to depict love for friends, God, and family.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest [Agape] thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love [Phileo] thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest [Agape] thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love [Phileo] thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest [Phileo] thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest [Phileo]thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love [Phileo] thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Peter each time indicates a deep affection and friendship but will not go the level of Agape love, because Peter was not willing to give up everything for Him.
Eros = Romantic / Passionate Love
Eros encompasses passionate, romantic, and sexual love, often involving physical attraction and emotional intimacy.
The word eros is not found in the New Testament.
However, it is used in the Song of Solomon and is seen as a celebration of marital love.
Each love mentioned outside of Agape, Biblical love, is either understood in the negative or lesser form of love than Agape love.
Agape love is the only real form of love.
In order for unity to exist in the church or in a marriage, you need to be one with your spouse in three areas:
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
ONE IN Spirit “Doing”
ONE IN Spirit “Doing”
. . . which is focused on Christ) This has to do with Purpose.
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
"United we stand, divided we fall."
Remember, Adam and Eve were created to rule over God’s Creation and be Blessed through His Creation.
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
*Sharing a common cause
Disunity is so destructive because rather than working together you are working against each other.
Unity is:
1. Playing on the same team
Working with each other not against each other.
2. Heading in the same direction
3. Serving the same Master
ONE in Soul: "THINKING"
ONE in Soul: "THINKING"
. . . which comes from the Bible) This has to do with Agreement.
*Sharing common convictions
A Bible conviction is a belief that you would be willing to die for.
A conviction is a belief that alters your behavior.
Since thinking affects actions, and actions affect relationships (and unity), it is important that we think alike.
Agreement not necessarily in the insignificant details of life but in:
1. Your God-given Priorities in Life
a. Agreement in doctrine (The Word of God)
b. Agreement in practice (The will of God - Phil. 3:16)
2. Your God-given Responsibilities in Life .
Be Fruitful, Multiply, Replenish the Earth. and Subdue the Earth, all of this is a derived authority given from God.
Examples:
a. Roles in marriage
b. Child-rearing (discipline/training)
c. Family finances
d. Service for Christ
Beware: It's often little, insignificant things that cause disunity.
If we are one in Spirit, and we are one in Mind, than and only then can we enter into the consummation or completion of this unity Physically.
ONE in Relationship: “Being”
ONE in Relationship: “Being”
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
1. A Lawful Oneness (Heb. 13:4)
1. A Lawful Oneness (Heb. 13:4)
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
You must be married.
Living together shows non-commitment (It is not love).
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them [the church that was empowered by the Holy Spirit] about three thousand souls.
2. An Indivisible Oneness (Mt. 19:5-6)
2. An Indivisible Oneness (Mt. 19:5-6)
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
You must be convinced that divorce is not option.
Marriage is for keeps. This is why it is called "wedlock."
What about Unity in the Church?
13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
3. An Expressive Oneness (I Cor. 7:3-5)
3. An Expressive Oneness (I Cor. 7:3-5)
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Man was created by God to be expressive.
Unity is expressed in these ways:
--Handshakes - business relationships
--Putting arm around shoulder - friendship relationships
--Hugs and kisses - family relationship
--Sex - Marriage relationship
Sex is an expression of the oneness you have by virtue of your marriage relationship.
Fornication and adultery are lies. Why?
Because they are expressing a oneness that does not exist.
Adam and Eve embraced each other with Agape love.
How do we know this.
Because of the willingness to Leave.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
2. Because of the willingness to Cleave, attach oneness to another.
and
3. Because of the nakedness and not being ashamed.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
All other loves have negative or lesser quality to them that cause ashamedness and conviction of sin.
All other love when spiritual will lead you to Agape Love. All other loves when fleshly or carnal will lead you away from Agape Love.
You cannot fall in and out of Agape love. Agape love is confirmed in giving and service.
Let’s check our Agape love: If you are not married, then check it as a church member.
How much are you willing to lose for the sake of your spouse or fellow church member?
Jesus willing, completely, sacrificilly gave His life for us, as a matter of fact, He gave His life while
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Notice, the Consummation of Marriage is the willingness to close off all other relationships and options and total commit yourself thouroughly to that one individual.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Some more questions that you can ask to see if it is biblical love or not.
How much are you willing to lose for the sake of that person?
How much freedom are you willing to forsake?
How much of your precious time, emotion, and resources are you willing to invest in this person?
Just like in Salvation, There is the feeling or CONVICTION and then comes a point of CONFESSION, intellect or determination that leads to a CONSUMMATION, a physical identification of what has already been decided.
The Physical Identification leads to a Public Covenant which is what we will examine next week.
The Covenant of Marriage.
Are you ONE?
Spiritually – Faith, Hope, and Love
Soulishly – Heart, Feeling and Mind, Thinking
Physically – Doing, Body
If you answer no to any of these, then you are not “one”.
